After 20 years in the legal field, Michael Strouse was ready for a change — not just in career, but in values. He wanted to do something entrepreneurial, something compassionate and something that gave back to the community he calls home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. At the same time, his mother was going through a major downsizing process after the loss of her husband, and Caring Transitions played a critical role in helping her manage that life-changing transition. That experience introduced Strouse to the franchise, and now he’s opening a location of his own. With a family-run team and a personal mission rooted in real-life empathy, Strouse is turning his next chapter into a full-circle opportunity to serve others — and build a legacy while he’s at it.

1851 spoke with Strouse to learn more about his background, his journey to Caring Transitions and his plans for the future.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Michael Strouse: I had a successful career as a litigator in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I worked for several law firms, and I was also a general counsel to a financial institution. There came where I wanted to do something entrepreneurial — something where I could build a business from the ground up and give back to the community in a more meaningful way.

My profession was adversarial. I wanted to pivot into something more compassionate. And at the same time, my mom had just lost her husband and was going through a massive downsizing. She had spent 30 years collecting all the treasures you could possibly imagine. We helped her move across state lines to another home, and it took us seven or eight months to clean things up, sell, donate and plan what she could bring with her.

Funny enough, while we were going through that, my mom used Caring Transitions for the online estate sale portion — and she said to me, “This is a franchise. You should look into it.” That’s how I was introduced to the business, and now I’m thrilled to be doing it myself. My family is going to be involved, too — it’s become a team effort.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know now that you're in it?

Strouse: I’ve always had the entrepreneurial bug, and I really took my time figuring out my next path. Franchising provides a wealth of resources right out of the gate. That was very appealing to me — the idea that someone has your back.

The branding, the marketing, the level of services and support you get from a franchise — it really helps you level up quickly. I’ve seen people start businesses from scratch, and I give them credit — it’s incredibly hard. Once I went down the franchising path, that’s all I needed. It made sense.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about the company?

Strouse: Caring Transitions checked all the boxes for me — the compassionate side, the senior focus. I’ve been volunteering for a nonprofit that helps seniors in the community for a few years now. I really enjoy those interactions. I’ve already been involved in the senior space, and this just felt like the natural evolution of that.

The brand itself was the final selling point. I love the branding, the logo, the direction the company is going in. They’re leading with compassion, and I wanted to be a part of that.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Strouse: In the first year, I want to expand and really grow the business while focusing on philanthropy at the same time. I want to establish systems, serve all of Lower Bucks County and build this into a million-dollar revenue business within five years.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Strouse: I have a wonderful wife — we’ve been married almost 25 years — and we have two teenage daughters. My wife is going to be helping with business development. My brother is coming on board to manage the liquidation aspect. And my mom — who was really the impetus for all of this — is so excited about the brand that she’ll be helping out too.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Strouse: Caring Transitions provides a ton of resources right away. They’re sharp and eager — but in a good way. If you want to be up and running in six months, they’ll make it happen. They keep you focused and on track.

I was also really impressed with the corporate culture. The senior management team, the caliber of the people and their belief in the mission — it encouraged me. They have the wisdom and the experience to really make this brand a national success.  I’m excited about the future.

For more information about franchising with Caring Transitions, visit: https://1851franchise.com/caringtransitions/.

ABOUT CARING TRANSITIONS:

Caring Transitions provides older adults and their families with the most trusted, respected and comprehensive downsizing, right-sizing, estate sales and online auctions, and move management solutions in the industry. Founded in 2006, the brand is committed to helping people in a compassionate and caring manner during life's many transitions while providing a total and easy solution for clients in their time of need. Through their proprietary online sales platform, CTBIDS, Caring Transitions also prepares clients for the process of liquidating assets through their own online estate sales auction site. With more than 350 locations, Caring Transitions’ compassionate, experienced professionals minimize stress and relieve the burdens of life’s transitions. To learn more visit https://www.caringtransitions.com/.